The International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA), a jewellery craftsmanship and design school that will be based in Milan, Italy, was officially launched on September 6, during a presentation about the new institution that was a highlight of the CIBJO seminar series at the September 2025 edition VICENZAORO jewellery show in Vicenza.

As described by its founders, the International Fine Jewellery Academy will draw on the traditions, knowledge and experience that distinguish the Italian jewellery sector, preserving and passing them on to future generations of jewellers from around the world.

IFJA is being created through a partnership that involves CIBJO; ConfCommercio, Italy’s largest trade association, which is active in about 155 different sectors, including jewellery; Foundation Mani Inteligenti, a body based in Valenza whose mission is to train the next generation of Italian goldsmiths; and CAPAC – Politecnico del Commercio e del Turismo, a non-profit foundation that has been operating in the professional training sector since 1961.

As part of the venture, CAPAC will provide the International Fine Jewellery Academy facilities at its campus in the centre of Milan, where in-person training will take place and classes held. This will be complemented by hands on training delivered by some of the world’s most skilled jewellery artisans, at partner companies in northern Italy.

Participating in the launch at VICENZAORO was Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at the Kering luxury group, which has been supportive of the new venture. She joined CIBJO President, Gaetano Cavalieri; Alessia Crivelli, Chair of Foundation Mani Inteligenti; Umberto Bellini, Vice President of Confcommercio Milano; Simonpaolo Buongiardino, President of CAPAC,and Gabriele Cartasegna, Director, CAPAC. The presentation was moderated by Steven Benson, CIBJO’s Director of Communications.

“Italy’s genius is vested in the men and women of its jewellery industry, who are the custodians of a wealth of knowledge, skill and experience that is unmatched anywhere in the world. It was built up over the centuries, with each generation benefiting from those that preceded it, building on what they learned and them passing them forward to the next generation. Our goal with IFJA is to tap into this unique braintrust, providing young people, from countries around the globe, with the essence of the Italian jewellery tradition, which they will learn from masters, both in the classroom and at the jeweller’s bench,” explained Dr. Cavalieri.

“But that’s not all,” the CIBJO President continued. “Students in the IFJA programme will learn to apply their newfound knowledge in a way that is appropriate to the jewellery industry of the 21st Century. This means applying the principles of responsible sourcing, sustainable development and ESG, which are the best practice principles developed and promoted by CIBJO.”

Classes at IFJA are scheduled to begin during the course of 2026.